Ear Protector

ABSTRACT

An ear protector  100  provides a means for covering an ear  10,  manipulating ear  10,  and protecting ear  10  from rubbing, chemicals, and heat. The ear protector comprises: an inner wall  110,  an outer wall  120,  and a curved joining wall  130.  The ear protector further comprises: an upper helix cover  140,  a middle tragus cover  150,  and a lower lobule cover  160.  The ear protector is manufactured with a material this is flexible, able to resume its original shape when a deforming force is removed, light weight and low density, has a high compression set, is has insulation properties and chemical resistance properties, easy to manufacture easily colored and processed. The ear protector includes notch  170  with thin membrane  176  for stretch and retraction, ear cavity button  154  for securing with ear, and thicker bridges  172  for strength and comfort, and installing and removing ear protector with ear.

CROSS-REFERENCE

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/367,716, filed Jul. 26, 2010, titled EAR PROTECTOR. The present application is related by the same inventors for all applications; Marcia Helena Parris and Ricky Curtis Sherrell. The U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/367,716, filed Jul. 26, 2010, titled EAR PROTECTOR is hereby incorporated in its entirety by reference.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to ear protection for the human ear. More specifically, an ear protector providing a means for attaching with the ear and providing protection from heat, chemicals, and noise, and positioning the ear for hair treatments as well as irritation from medical equipment that comes in contact with the ear.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

Beauticians frequently utilize hot implements such as curling irons, hot curlers, and straightening combs that are by design, very hot to the touch for processing the hair and occasionally such irons will cause uncomfortable heat or touch the ear causing pain. Although beneficial when used to curl hair, the irons, curlers and combs can be detrimental if brought into contact with the user's ear. Likewise, blow dryers can cause harm to sensitive ears due to the high intensity heat and noise from the blow dryer. Many women have experienced the pain that results from accidentally touching their ear with the iron. One slight touch is all that is required to receive a painful burn. In addition to the associated pain, the burn often leaves a noticeable burn mark or scab on the user. With the medical field, the ear may be irritated by oxygen equipment and other items rubbing on the ear.

There are numerous ear protecting devices. Roos, U.S. Pat. No. 2,148,838, discloses a means for protecting ears with celluloid, rubber or other materials that do not conduct heat and completely surrounds the ear thus making the protector warm and uncomfortable; Bogart, U.S. Pat. No. 2,763,869, also discloses a protector for ears using soft, flexible waterproof materials that requires an elastic cord to maintain the shower cap type design in position on the ear; Motley, U.S. Pat. No. 2,396,113, depicts uses what it calls a v-shaped recess construction made from plastics, asbestos or other suitable material with a large cut out to prevent interference with hearing; Barrington, U.S. Pat. No. 1,697,102, uses a curved portion that rests upon the outer portion of the ear similar to curved cover over the top of the ear with the same general shape on the outer and inner sides; and Suggs, U.S. Pat. No. 2,727,245, discloses a soft collapsible material fitting over the ear with a narrow wall clipping over the outer portion of the ear to fit tightly. However, these devices do not necessarily address all of the concerns necessary to protect an individual's ears during hair treating processes.

Other Ear protectors have been described in the patent literature. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,134,153 issued to Voorhees, U.S. Pat. No. 4,872,219 issued to Duncan, U.S. Pat. No. 5,257,420 issued to Byrne, Jr., U.S. Pat. No. 2,428,897 issued to Ungemah. A number of other attempts have been made to provide protecting devices. U.S. Pat. No. 7,614,089; 7,028,343; 6,298,493; 6,041,440; 5,920,912; 5,816,254; 4,935,965; 4,916,758; 4,308,623; and 3,452,365. These all describe ear covers or protectors, but fail to disclose an ear protector that is a flexible, comfortable material and with a shape that effectively protects against heat, noise and chemicals that is easy to install on the ear and remove.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:

FIG. 1 is a side view depicting a portion of the anatomy of a human ear;

FIG. 2 is side view of an outer side of one embodiment of an ear protector for a right ear;

FIG. 3 is front view of another embodiment of an ear protector for a right ear;

FIG. 4 is side view of an inner side of yet another embodiment of an ear protector for a right ear;

FIG. 5 is rear view of the embodiment of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is bottom view of the embodiment of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is sectional view along line 7-7 of FIG. 4 depicting a notch and membrane of the embodiment of FIG. 2;

FIG. 8 is perspective view of an inner side of the embodiment of FIG. 2;

FIG. 9 is another perspective view of an inner side of the embodiment of FIG. 2;

FIG. 10 is side view of an outer side of one embodiment of an ear protector for a left ear;

FIG. 11 is front view of the embodiment of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is side view of an inner side of the embodiment of FIG. 10;

FIG. 13 is rear view of the embodiment of FIG. 10;

FIG. 14 is bottom view of the embodiment of FIG. 10;

FIG. 15 is perspective view of an inner side of the embodiment of FIG. 10;

FIG. 16 is another perspective view of an inner side of the embodiment of FIG. 10;

FIG. 17 is side view of an outer side of another embodiment of an ear protector for a right ear;

FIG. 18 is front view of the embodiment of FIG. 17;

FIG. 19 is side view of an inner side of another embodiment of the embodiment of FIG. 17;

FIG. 20 is rear view of the embodiment of FIG. 17;

FIG. 21 is bottom view of the embodiment of FIG. 17;

FIG. 22 is sectional view along line 22-22 of FIG. 19 depicting a notch and membrane of the embodiment of FIG. 17;

FIG. 23 is perspective view of an inner side of the embodiment of FIG. 17;

FIG. 24 is another perspective view of an inner side of the embodiment of FIG. 17;

FIG. 25A is a perspective view of another ear protector embodiment with equipment tabs;

FIG. 25B is a top view of the embodiment of FIG. 25A;

FIG. 25C is a front view of the embodiment of FIG. 25A;

FIG. 26A is perspective view of yet another ear protector embodiment with equipment tabs; and

FIG. 26B is a front view of the embodiment of FIG. 26A.

SUMMARY

An ear protector including an inner wall, an outer wall, and a curved joining wall an upper helix cover, a middle tragus cover, and a lower lobule cover; a front portion, middle portion, and a rear portion; ear cavity button; and a notch; all comprising a thermoplastic elastomer material. The ear protector upper helix cover includes the inner wall connected with the curved joining wall connected with the outer wall, the middle tragus cover includes only the outer wall, and the lower lobule cover includes the outer wall, connected with the curved joining wall connected with the inner wall. The notch includes a membrane disposed in the upper helix cover, such that the membrane extends through the inner wall, the curved joining wall, and the outer wall. The membrane comprises a thinner thickness of the thermoplastic elastomer material, such that the notch extending front to rear is wide enough to allow the membrane to stretch and retract such that the ear protector opens and retracts allowing for opening the ear protector to extend around an ear and retract to remain on the ear in position as placed on the ear. The notch further includes an inner bridge and an outer bridge disposed in the center of the membrane, and further disposed on the interior of the upper helix cover, wherein the inner bridge is further disposed approximately between the inner wall and curved joining wall, and the outer bridge is disposed approximately between the outer wall and the curved joining wall, and the inner and outer bridge comprise a larger thickness of the thermoplastic elastomer material than the membrane for strengthening along the membrane and for comfort. The ear protector further includes a taper or a cutout disposed approximately between the upper helix cover and the tragus cover. The taper includes more security of the ear protector with the ear while the cutout allows for a wider variety of shapes and sizes of ears. The taper is disposed approximately between the upper helix cover and the tragus cover such that the upper helix cover presses on the top of the helix, the inner wall of the upper helix cover presses on the inner top of the helix, the outer wall of the upper helix cover presses on the outer top of the helix, and the ear cavity button fits below the helix of the ear and the taper presses on the top front of the helix to hold the ear protector securely on the ear. The cutout includes an open area abutting the curved joining wall of the upper helix cover disposed approximately in an area of the outer wall where the upper helix cover ends and where the tragus cover begins such that the ear protector may be used with a variety of ear shapes and sizes. The tragus cover is disposed in the front, middle portion of the ear protector and the tragus cover is also disposed with the front lower portion of outer wall such that shape of the middle tragus cover pushes a tragus portion of the ear for preventing damage to ear and for muffling sounds. The ear cavity button comprises mound of material disposed on the outer wall beginning at a rear lower edge of the membrane on the outer wall and extending forward along the outer wall edge of upper rear portion of the tragus cover wherein the ear cavity button increases in width and height from rear to front such that the ear cavity button fits below the helix of the ear providing secure holding of ear protector on the ear. In addition, the lower lobule cover includes the outer wall extending downward from the upper helix cover, the curved joining wall extending downward with a taper from the upper helix cover, and the inner wall extending downward from the upper helix cover with a taper from the upper helix cover, and the rear portion of the lower lobule cover curves downward and forward from the upper helix cover comprising a C-shape for conforming to the ear and for manipulating the ear upward and inward and for protecting the ear. The ear protector may include ear protector tabs.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to ear protection for the human ear. More specifically, an ear protector providing a means for attaching with the ear and providing protection from heat, chemicals, and noise, and positioning the ear for hair treatments. The following description is presented to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention and to incorporate it in the context of particular applications. Various modifications, as well as a variety of uses in different applications will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to a wide range of embodiments. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments presented, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Overview of the Invention:

As depicted in FIGS. 1 through 26B, an ear protector 100 provides a means for covering an ear 10, manipulating the ear 10, and protecting the ear 10 from rubbing, chemicals, and heat. FIGS. 2 through 9 are figures of different embodiments of the ear protector for the right ear; FIGS. 10 through 16 are figures of different embodiments of the ear protector for the left ear; FIGS. 17 through 24 are figures of embodiments of the ear protector for the right ear wherein the figures for the left ear would be the mirror view of the figures for the right ear; and FIGS. 25A through 26B are figures of embodiments of the ear protector for the right ear wherein the figures for the left ear would be the mirror view of the figures for the right ear. The ear protector 100 comprises three walls: an inner wall 110, an outer wall 120, and a curved joining wall 130. The ear protector 100 comprises covers for three areas of an ear: an upper helix cover 140, a middle tragus cover 150, and a lower lobule cover 160. The ear protector 100 has three general areas: a front portion 122, middle portion 124, and a rear portion 126. In addition, the ear protector 100 is manufactured with a material this is flexible, able to resume its original shape when a deforming force is removed, light weight and low density, has a high compression set, has insulation properties and chemical resistance properties, is easy to manufacture, and is easily colored and processed. The ear protector 100 further includes a notch 170 with a thin membrane 176 for stretch and retraction, and thicker bridges 172, 173, 174, 178 for strength and comfort, all for ease of installing and removing ear protector 100 with the ear 10. In addition, an ear cavity button 154 may be provided to securely hold the ear protector 100 in place on the ear, and an end support bridge 178 may be added for additional strength where the notch membrane 176 joins an edge of the ear protector 100.

Design Specifications:

As illustrated in FIGS. 2 through 26B, an ear protector 100 structure includes an inner wall 110, an outer wall 120, and a curved joining wall 130 made of a thermoplastic elastomer material. An upper helix cover 140, and a lower lobule cover 160 comprises the inner wall 110, the outer wall 120, and the curved joining wall 130, while a middle tragus cover 150 comprises the outer wall 120.

The Upper Helix Cover:

As shown in FIGS. 1 through 26B, the upper helix cover 140 structure comprises the inner wall 110, connected with the curved joining wall 130, connected with the outer wall 120, and a notch 170. The structure of the notch 170 includes a membrane 176 disposed in the upper helix cover 140, such that the membrane 176 extends through the inner wall 110, the curved joining wall 130, and the outer wall 120. The membrane 176 comprises a thinner thickness of the thermoplastic elastomer material, wherein the notch 170 extends front to rear, wide enough and the thickness of the material thin enough, to allow the membrane 176 to stretch and retract such that the ear protector 100 opens and retracts allowing for opening the ear protector 100 to extend around an ear 10 and retract to remain on the ear 10 in position as placed on the ear 10. The notch 170 further includes a support bridge 172 that may include an inner support bridge 173 and an outer support bridge 174 disposed in the center of the membrane 176, disposed on interior of the upper helix cover 140, such that the inner support bridge 173 is further disposed approximately where the inner wall 110 transitions to the curved joining wall 130, and the outer support bridge 174 is disposed approximately where the outer wall 120 transitions to the curved joining wall 130, wherein the inner support bridge 173 and the outer support bridge 174 comprise a larger thickness of the thermoplastic elastomer material than the membrane 176 for strengthen of the ear protector 100 along the membrane 176 and for comfort as the upper helix cover 140 rests on the helix 12 of the ear 10. In addition, end support bridges 178 may be added for additional membrane 176 strength where the membrane 176 joins the edges of the ear protector 100.

The Middle Tragus Cover:

The middle tragus cover 150 structure includes primarily the outer wall 120. A portion of the curved joining wall 130 may adjoin the tragus cover 150. The tragus cover 150 is disposed on the front 122, middle portion 124 of the ear protector 100 and on the front 122 lower portion 128 of the outer wall 120 such that shape of the tragus cover 150 pushes or covers the tragus portion 16 of the ear 10 preventing ear damage and muffling sounds. The middle tragus cover 150 structure may further comprise an ear cavity button 154. The ear cavity button 154 is a narrow and lower mound of material beginning at the rear edge of the membrane 178 outer wall 120 extending forward around the edge of the ear protector areas of the middle tragus cover 150 and the lower lobule cover 160 with the ear cavity button 154 mound of material increasing in width and height in the forward position and decreasing in width and height in the rear position. The ear cavity button 154 follows the edge of the ear protector area of the middle tragus cover 150 and the lower lobule cover 160. The ear cavity button 154 fits below the helix of the ear such that the ear cavity button 154 presses on the helix of the ear while the upper helix cover 140 presses on the top of the helix, the inner wall 110 of the upper helix cover 140 presses on the inner top portion of the ear helix, the outer wall of the upper helix cover 140 presses on the outer top of the ear helix, and the C-shape of the lower lobule cover presses on the rear of the ear lobule providing snug but comfortable holding of the ear protector 100 securely in place such that medical equipment and lines such as oxygen hoses may be attached with the ear protector without irritating the ear 10. The tragus cover may further comprise tragus cover ribs 158 comprising thicker material disposed from said ear cavity button extending downward toward bottom of said tragus cover such that said tragus cover rib 158 of said middle tragus cover pushes a tragus portion of said ear for preventing damage to ear and for muffling sounds.

The Lower Lobule Cover:

The structure of the lower lobule cover 160 includes the outer wall 120, the curved joining wall 130 and the inner wall 110. The lower lobule cover 160 includes the outer wall 120 extending downward from the upper helix cover 140, the curved joining wall 130 extending downward with a taper from the upper helix cover 140, and the inner wall 110 extending downward with a taper from the upper helix cover 140. The rear portion 126 of the lower lobule cover 160 curves downward and forward from the upper helix cover 140 comprising a C-shape 190 for conforming to the ear 10 and for manipulating the ear 10 upward and inward and for protecting the lobule 14 of the ear 10. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the lower lobule cover 160 may comprise a lower lobule cover bump 162 comprising a mound of material thicker than the outer wall 120 of the lower lobule cover 160 disposed on the outer wall 120 of the lower lobule cover 160 to aid in securing the ear protector 100 in place on the ear 10.

The Cutout or Taper:

The ear protector 100 may comprise an upper helix cover cutout 180 disposed approximately between the upper helix cover 140 and the tragus cover 150, wherein the upper helix cover cutout 180 includes an open area, an area without material, on the curved joining wall 130 of the upper helix cover 140. The upper helix cover cutout 180 is disposed in an area of the outer wall 120 approximately where the upper helix cover ends 140 and where the tragus cover 150 begins such that the ear protector 100 may be used with a variety of shapes and sizes of ears 10. The upper helix cover cutout 180 disposition may be adjusted upward or downward along the curved joining wall 130 for an even wider variety of shapes and sizes of ear 10. As illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3, 17 through 19, 21, 23 through 26B instead of the upper helix cover cutout 180, a taper or protective angle 184 may be included on the curved joining wall 130 wherein the taper 184 may begin where the inner wall 110 transitions to the curved joining wall 130, and may extends downward across the curved joining wall 130 toward a point approximately midway 124 down the front portion 122 of the tragus cover 150 where the curved joining wall 130 may transition to the outer wall 120. The protective angle or taper 184 provides more protection of the ear 10 and better holding of the ear protector 100 in relation with the ear. When the taper 184 is used in combination with the ear cavity button 154, the ear protector 100 is held very securely on the ear 10.

The Equipment Tabs:

The ear protector 100 may comprise equipment tabs 144 as depicted in FIGS. 25A through 25C on the top of the upper helix cover or FIGS. 26A and 26B for securing and holding equipment such as oxygen hoses or lines 20 that would normally wrap around the ear. The equipment tabs 144 may comprise pairs of tabs 144 with elasticity and are angled such that equipment or tubing may be inserted between the tabs 144 and the tabs 144 receive the equipment and retain it in position on the ear protector 100 until the equipment is pulled away from the tabs 144. One embodiment is show with the equipment tabs 144 disposed on the upper helix cover 140 and another embodiment depicts the equipment tabs 144 on the inner wall 110 of the ear protector 100.

The Material:

The preferred material for the ear protector is a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE). There are a number of TPE products currently on the market. The preferred embodiment for the ear protector material TPE is SOFT TOUCH. However, SARLINK, HYTREL, and SANTOPRENE materials may also be used for the ear protector. However, other materials with the same characteristics may be used and new products with similar characteristics may be used as they become available.

Characteristics and reasons for using thermoplastic elastomer materials such as SOFT TOUCH, SARLINK, HYTREL, and SANTOPRENE:

-   -   A) User Friendly: The material is easy to handle and easy to         hold on to.     -   B) Flexible: The material makes the “hinge” that allows the ear         guard to hold onto, and stay on the ear while in use, giving         confidence to the user.     -   C) Elastomer: The material allows the ear protector to perform         like a natural rubber part and remain flexible, so it doesn't         harm the user while worn. This characteristic gives the product         a natural fit and feel. The elastomeric properties is useful to         the “hinge” design by allowing the ear protector to expand, and         then recover so the part slips over the ear, and then also         return with enough grip to remain functional and to remain in         position on the ear.     -   D) Low weight: This characteristic of the material provides         comfort for the user.     -   E) High compression set: This characteristic of the material         keeps the product useable while in storage thus adding to the         long life of the product.     -   F) Insulation properties: This characteristic of the material         prevents heat from any of the heat sources from being         transmitted directly to the ear. The wearer of the product feels         enough heat to know that heat sources are close to the ear, but         the ear protector helps prevent burning the ear.     -   G) Chemical resistance: This characteristic of the material         insures the product remains functional even while exposed to a         variety of chemicals that can come in contact with the ear         protector thru contact with the hair.     -   H) Ease of manufacturing: SOFT TOUCH, SARLINK, HYTREL, and         SANTOPRENE materials are easily colored, and processed on         standard thermoplastic equipment.

Advantages and Features of the Ear Protector:

-   -   1. The heat resistant ear protector covers, pushes down, or         manipulates the ear away from the head to make it easier to cut         the hair or apply chemicals. The skin in this area is thin and         very sensitive wherein the covers can protect the skin and ear         from heated items such as flat irons, curling irons, and hot         rollers. The ear protector also may be comfortably worn during         hair treatments to protect ears from any liquids or semi-liquids         required by such treatments. Some of the chemicals used with         hair styling may cause acute discomfort. In addition, the ear         protector covers protect the ears from medical equipment such as         oxygen hoses rubbing and irritating the ears.     -   2. The ear protector has a notch all the way across the width of         the ear protector through a cross-section of the upper helix         cover. The notch area is thinner with a thin membrane that         allows for the opening of the ear protector in order to place         the ear protector on the ear. When released from the open         position, the ear protector springs back around the ear to keep         the ear protector in place. In the center of the membrane,         approximately at the top of the membrane on each side of the         upper helix cover, thicker material is placed for added comfort         as well as to strengthen the ear protector along the membrane.         The thicker material associated with the notch and the membrane         is located along the inside, or ear side, of the ear protector         where the thicker material forms a bridge on the inside of each         side of the upper helix cover and the membrane edge of the ear         protector. To further aid in securing the ear protector with the         ear an ear cavity button may be included. The ear cavity button         in combination with the taper provides snug, comfortable         securing of the ear protector.     -   3. The ear protector outer shape from the upper portion of the         ear protector moving rearward moves down and curves around the         ear so the lobule of the ear is covered, protecting the lobule         of the ear from heat and rubbing while also helping to pull the         ear up or manipulating the lower half of the ear that is covered         when cutting the hair.     -   4. The tragus cover is shaped to prevent damage to the ear. The         tragus cover also helps to push in the tragus which helps muffle         sounds while cutting the hair around the ears using hair         clippers.     -   5. The ear protector in front of the upper helix cover may have         a cutout to allow for effective use with a variety of ear shapes         and sizes. However, where protection of the ear and security or         holding of the ear protector is more of a concern, the taper         instead of the cutout provides for more security and ear         protection.     -   6. The ear protector is also wrapped around the back of the ear         thus pulling the ear inward, making a C-clamp shape.     -   7. The ear protector may include tabs along the top of the upper         helix cover for holding medical equipment such as an oxygen         hose. This allows the ear protector to prevent irritation and         rubbing of the sensitive portion of the ear while patients need         to utilize oxygen through tubing that would normally wrap around         the ear wherein movement rubs and irritates the ear. 

1. An ear protector comprising: an inner wall, an outer wall, and a curved joining wall; an upper helix cover, a middle tragus cover, and a lower lobule cover; a front portion, middle portion, and a rear portion; an ear cavity button; and a notch; all comprising thermoplastic elastomer material; wherein: said upper helix cover comprises said inner wall adjoining with said curved joining wall, and said curved joining wall adjoining with said outer wall; said middle tragus cover comprises said outer wall; and said lower lobule cover comprises said outer wall adjoining with said curved joining wall and said curved joining wall adjoining with said inner wall; wherein said notch comprises: a membrane disposed in said upper helix cover, wherein said membrane extends through said inner wall, said curved joining wall, and said outer wall of said upper helix cover, and said membrane comprises a thinner thickness of said thermoplastic elastomer material, and said notch extends front to rear wide enough to allow membrane to stretch and retract such that said ear protector opens and retracts allowing for opening said ear protector to extend around an ear and retract to remain on the ear in position as placed on the ear; wherein said ear cavity button comprises mound of material disposed on said outer wall beginning at a rear lower edge of the membrane on said outer wall and extending forward along said outer wall edge of upper rear portion of said tragus cover wherein said ear cavity button increases in width and height from rear to front such that said ear cavity button fits below a helix of the ear providing secure holding of ear protector on the ear; wherein said tragus cover is disposed on front, middle portion of said ear protector and on front lower portion of outer wall such that shape of said middle tragus cover pushes a tragus portion of said ear for preventing damage to ear and for muffling sounds; and wherein said lower lobule cover includes said outer wall extending downward from said upper helix cover, said curved joining wall extending downward with a taper from said upper helix cover, and said inner wall extending downward with a taper from said upper helix cover, wherein said rear portion of said lower lobule cover curves downward and forward comprising a C-shape for conforming to said ear and for manipulating said ear upward and inward and for protecting said ear.
 2. An ear protector as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a cutout disposed approximately between said upper helix cover and said tragus cover, wherein said cutout includes an open area of said curved joining wall of said upper helix cover disposed by outer wall approximately where said upper helix cover ends and where said tragus cover begins such that the open area of said cutout of said ear protector is used with a variety of said ear shapes and sizes.
 3. An ear protector as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a taper disposed approximately between said upper helix cover and said tragus cover wherein said upper helix cover presses on the top of the helix, said inner wall of said upper helix cover presses on the inner top of the helix, said outer wall of said upper helix cover presses on the outer top of the helix, said ear cavity button fits below the helix of the ear and said taper presses on the top front of the helix to hold said ear protector securely on the ear.
 4. An ear protector as set forth in claim 1 further comprising an inner bridge and an outer bridge disposed in the center of said membrane, and disposed on interior of said upper helix cover, wherein said inner bridge is further disposed between said inner wall and curved joining wall, and said outer bridge is disposed between said outer wall and said curved joining wall, wherein said inner and outer bridge comprise a larger thickness of said thermoplastic elastomer material than said membrane material thickness for strength of said ear protector along said membrane and for comfort.
 5. An ear protector as set forth in claim 1 further comprising membrane bridges comprising a larger thickness of material disposed where said membrane adjoins said edge of said ear protector providing strength and comfort for said membrane for inserting and removing said ear protector in relation to the ear.
 6. An ear protector as set forth in claim 1 further comprising pairs of equipment tabs disposed on said ear protector providing a means of securing equipment on said ear protector such that the equipment does not rub and irritate the ear.
 7. The ear protector as set forth in claim 6 wherein said equipment tabs are disposed on said upper helix cover wherein said pair of equipment tabs comprise ear protector flexible, elastomer material wherein material protrudes upward and inward toward opposing tab such that equipment is help securely between said pairs of equipment tabs.
 8. An ear protector as set forth in claim 1 further comprising tragus cover ribs comprising thicker material disposed from said ear cavity button extending downward toward bottom of said tragus cover such that said tragus cover rib of said middle tragus cover pushes a tragus portion of said ear for preventing damage to ear and for muffling sounds.
 9. An ear protector as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a lower lobule cover bump comprising a mound of material thicker than said outer wall of said lower lobule cover disposed on said outer wall of said lower lobule cover for securing said ear protector in place on the ear.
 10. An ear protector comprising: an inner wall, an outer wall, and a curved joining wall; an upper helix cover, a middle tragus cover, and a lower lobule cover; a front portion, middle portion, and a rear portion; ear cavity button; and a notch; all comprising thermoplastic elastomer material; wherein said upper helix cover includes said inner wall connected with said curved joining wall and said curved joining wall connected with said outer wall, said middle tragus cover includes only said outer wall, and said lower lobule cover includes said outer wall connected with said curved joining wall and said curved joining wall connected with said inner wall; wherein said notch includes a membrane disposed in said upper helix cover, wherein said membrane extends through said inner wall, said curved joining wall, and said outer wall, wherein said membrane comprises a thinner thickness of said thermoplastic elastomer material, wherein said notch extends front to rear wide enough to allow membrane to stretch and retract such that said ear protector opens and retracts allowing for opening said ear protector to extend around an ear and retract to remain on said ear in position as placed on said ear; wherein said notch further includes an inner bridge and an outer bridge disposed in the center of said membrane, and disposed on interior of said upper helix cover, wherein said inner bridge is further disposed between said inner wall and curved joining wall, and said outer bridge is disposed between said outer wall and said curved joining wall, wherein said inner and outer bridge comprise a larger thickness of said thermoplastic elastomer material than said membrane material thickness for strength of said ear protector along said membrane and for comfort; wherein said ear protector further comprises a taper disposed approximately between said upper helix cover and said tragus cover wherein said upper helix cover presses on the top of the helix, said inner wall of said upper helix cover presses on the inner top of the helix, said outer wall of said upper helix cover presses on the outer top of the helix, said ear cavity button fits below the helix of the ear and said taper presses on the top front of the helix to hold said ear protector securely on the ear; wherein said tragus cover is disposed on front, middle portion of said ear protector and on front lower portion of outer wall such that shape of said middle tragus cover pushes a tragus portion of said ear for preventing damage to ear and for muffling sounds, wherein said ear cavity button comprises mound of material disposed on said outer wall beginning at a rear lower edge of the membrane on said outer wall and extending forward along said outer wall edge of upper rear portion of said tragus cover wherein said ear cavity button increases in width and height from rear to front such that said ear cavity button fits below the helix of the ear providing secure holding of ear protector on the ear; and wherein said lower lobule cover includes said outer wall extending downward from said upper helix cover, said curved joining wall extending downward with a taper from said upper helix cover, and said inner wall extending downward with a taper from said upper helix cover; wherein said rear portion of said lower lobule cover curves downward and forward comprising a C-shape for conforming to said ear and for manipulating said ear upward and inward and for protecting said ear.
 11. A method for using said ear protector of claim 1 comprising the steps of: holding said ear protector; separating said ear protector for placing ear protector over the ear; placing said ear protector over the ear; and releasing said ear protector to resume natural position over the ear such that said ear protector remains on the ear in position placed on the ear. 